Baltacha battles back

The former British No1 made a winning return in the Aberdeen Cup last night on her comeback from major back surgery

Elena Baltacha played her first match for five months in Aberdeen last night and while her game betrayed signs of the absence enforced by surgery on a prolapsed disc in her back in June, this was the first step on a long road for the 23-year-old. Maybe even a giant leap.

The last thing she wanted was a marathon, and that’s what she got. After all the pain of rehabilitation and the doubts of a career stalled so many times by misfortune, Baltacha found a sprint finish. After a titanic first set lost in a tie-break she was imperious in the second and closed out a victory in the 10-point championship tie-break. This is an exhibition match in all but name and Baltacha had yesterday’s date circled on her calendar as soon as she started her rehab and she threw herself at this contest.